The Boerboel is a powerhouse of a dog – impressively large and strong. They possess a fearless nature and are naturally protective, although they should never be needlessly aggressive unless a real threat arises. When meeting strangers, some are reserved while others are very enthusiastic to greet the new person. Individual temperaments, as well as the quality of early socialization, will play a role in how the dog reacts. The breed is loyal and loving to their families, and need to live inside and be a part of the “family pack”. Under-socialized Boerboels, or ones which are left by themselves (or outside) for a majority of the day will often get depressed and then destructive.
The Boerboel is intelligent and require strict obedience to keep his naturally dominant personality in check. As puppies, they are very easy to live with and can trick people into thinking that they need no obedience training at all… nothing could be further from the truth. As he grows, he will become more willful and may become more reactive. His guarding instinct will begin to take hold in early adolescence. If one waits until the dog is older, they are now dealing with a very big dog who is much harder to control! Thankfully the Boerboel takes very well to training. As a utility farm dog bred down in South Africa, he was tasked with all manner of jobs, and today he is happy and enthusiastic to work!
Puppies should be socialized from a very early age and exposed to as many sights, scents and sounds as possible. This will get them off on the right start! Be cautious about which new dogs you introduce your young puppy to… if the older dog responds in an aggressive way, the Boerboel may hold onto this memory as he grows up and might show aggression towards other dogs in the future. Either way, the Boerboel is not normally a good candidate for dog parks, especially when he is older. Being dominant himself, he does not respond well to other dogs displaying domineering behaviors. It is much better to introduce him to dogs who have already been pre-screened by the owner, in a safe and secure manner. 
Boerboels are usually very good with children, and also do well with cats and even large livestock. They will keep away wild animals, which is an extra plus for those living with livestock such as sheep or goats. They normally have no problems when new individuals are added to the family (whether human or animal), as long as the introductions are done with care. When it comes to other dogs, it is generally safer to have opposite sex pairs so that there is less of a chance of household fighting.
Those looking to own a Boerboel should ideally already have experience raising large breeds. This is not a typical Lab or Golden Retriever – this is a very powerful breed that will very likely challenge their owner at one point or another (especially if the rules of the house are lacking). Experience with molosser breeds and/or dominant breeds is highly recommended. A prospective owner should also be aware that these large dogs eat a lot and will cost much more to take care of than many other breeds. Both food bills as well as vet bills may be higher. Boerboel owners also must make sure that they have a vehicle big enough to transport the dog when it comes time to go to the vet or on any other excursion!
As tough of an exterior as these guys have, they actually possess a very sensitive nature. It is common for them to become in-tune with the moods and emotions of their owner. This is only one of the many traits which makes them adored by their devoted followers. The breed has less desirable traits as well – Boerboels do shed… and snore… and fart… and drool. Living with a Boerboel doesn’t only mean living with a powerful bodyguard, it also means living with a sensitive animal who will prove himself very human-like in many different ways.
